12 Google Products You Need in Your Life

In addition to offering tech products under its own brand, Google also has a great selection of smart home products under the Nest brand. They include a thermostat, a smoke detector, and a range of home security cameras.

The Google Home Mini is the more affordable, slightly less loud variant of the tech giant's first smart speaker. Powered by a single 40-millimeter speaker, the gadget will allow you to seamlessly access the Google Assistant via voice commands or by tapping its fabric-covered surface. There are three great colors to choose from — chalk, charcoal, and coral.

The flashy new Pixelbook is the new poster child for Google's Chrome OS notebook platform. Key specs of the sleek convertible laptop include a sharp 12.3-inch touchscreen, a choice between an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 CPU, up to 16 GB of RAM, and various solid-state drive storage options (up to 512 GB). An optional stylus pen is also available for the Pixelbook. Like the Pixel smartphones, the Pixelbook comes with the Google Assistant on board. The portable will also allow you to run a number of Android apps from the Google Play store.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL feature powerful Qualcomm chipsets, sharp OLED displays, stereo speakers, and the best cameras in the business, according to the highly regarded DxOMark Mobile photography rankings. Both models have a sleek metal body with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, as well as the ability to summon the Google Assistant by squeezing them.

Google's own Wi-Fi mesh network system is one of the best of its kind. Stylish (its looks are inspired by the Guggenheim Museum in New York City) and easy to set up (all you need is to download an app and follow the instructions), the device supports simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi for enhanced network speeds.

A handy feature for parents is the ability to pause the Wi-Fi connectivity on devices connected to your network. A single Google Wi-Fi unit is sufficient for a 1,500-square-foot home, and a three-pack can cover up to 4,500 square feet of space with high-quality Wi-Fi.

The stylish Google Home smart speaker is a rival to the Amazon Echo. It features the tech giant's AI-powered Google Assistant, which responds to voice prompts by tapping into an ultra-advanced neural network. It can play music, answer questions, set timers, and control connected appliances, among many other things.

The latest iteration of the Nest Learning Thermostat packs a vibrant circular touchscreen as well as Amazon Alexa support. In addition to allowing users to control it via a neat smartphone app, the thermostat has the ability to learn habits — meaning that in time, it won't need programming. There are three colors to pick from — white, stainless steel, and copper.

The Nest smoke detector has a cool design and gesture controls, as well as the ability to send alerts to your smartphone while you're away from home. There's a wired and a wireless variant to choose from. This is definitely a must-have connected home gadget.

The Google Chromecast Ultra is a compact and powerful streaming device that can deliver 4K and HDR content from the likes of Netflix and YouTube. It hangs from one of the HDMI ports on your TV, and it gives you access to Google's catalog of movies and TV shows. It can also mirror the screen of your Android smartphone, as well as display content from your Chrome browser.

The Nest Cam IQ is a sleek and incredibly clever home security camera that can recognize faces. This enables the device to alert you in case there's a stranger in your home, office, or place of business. The video quality of the device is exceptional, too — the Nest Cam IQ is the first security camera with a 4K HDR sensor.

The Google Home Max is a Google Assistant-powered smart speaker that packs a serious audio punch, courtesy of a duo of 4.5-inch subwoofers and two 0.7-inch custom tweeters. In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity with Chromecast and multiroom audio support, the Google Home Max also offers you the option to pair your favorite devices via Bluetooth. The speaker will come with a year-long YouTube Music subscription.

The Google Pixel Buds have a dedicated button for accessing the Google Assistant, and the earbuds can translate 40 different languages in real time. Other key features of the wireless earbuds include good sound quality, comfy fit, and up to five hours of battery life.

TheNest Secure alarm system combines sleek design, effortless setup, and ease of use. It includes a smart hub with a keypad and a powerful siren, two sensors you can use on doors or windows, and two Nest tags, which allow you to seamlessly arm and disarm the alarm system by tapping the main hub. As expected from a Nest product, the Secure alarm system allows you to integrate one of the company's cameras into it. You can also add more sensors and Nest tags if necessary.

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